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Toward True Health: What does a nutritionist do?

What exactly does a nutritionist do?

Surprisingly, I’ve received many questions about nutrition and wellness coaching.

A nutritionist is the person who studies how food works in the body. They study how nutritional deficiencies cause and support illness, and how to turn it around with a “let food be thy medicine” approach as taught by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician known as the father of medicine.

Changing your lifestyle for health is like swimming upstream and almost impossible to do alone. We’ve developed a taste for junk foods and been socialized to eat fast foods and convenience foods. Our brains have been hijacked by chemicals in foods, and we’ve lost touch with real foods from the earth by accepting (as the norm) commercialized foods from manufacturing plants.

Just as the fitness trainer gives clients the workout regimen that will meet their fitness goals and inspires them to greater effort and accountability, I offer a lifestyle and eating program appropriate for the clients’ health goals.

We implement a “whole person lifestyle” approach to combat chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, fibromyalgia and so many others. Creating with the client a lifestyle that is fun, satisfying, meaningful and that promotes healing.

Because I am a nutritionist, some think that what I do is all about the food. Teaching clients about food, where it comes from, how to choose the best foods and how food gets to their plate, is a big part, but there’s more.

I know all chronic illness (heart disease, diabetes, anemia, cancer, kidney failure, etc.) stems from a lifestyle that is out of balance. Stress, lack of energy, poor exercise, bad sleep habits, lack of body confidence, fluid imbalance, absence of joy in life and relationship problems all affect our health. One area being off kilter affects other areas as well. So, it’s not only what you are eating, but what’s eating you!

Do you eat because you are missing the joy? Are you worried and so retreat to the television? Are stresses at work causing your blood pressure and blood sugar to register too high, even with medication? By connecting the dots we are able to add the emotional support and accountability, personal care and encouragement that makes all the difference.

The Health Restoration method does not dwell on calories, portion sizes, fats or proteins. Instead, we work with clients to create an eating plan that supports true health, which is naturally detoxifying, delicious and provides the nutrients a healthy body needs. These are foods that are easy to prepare that the family can enjoy together. Teaching the client how to eat when away from home allows for flexibility and the social connections we all enjoy.

Our goal is to educate and support the client in ways that benefit the entire household in making healthy choices. Families on the Health Restoration program will manage weight issues, eliminate food cravings, increase energy, develop good sleep practices and maximize the health of all, while allowing the client to reach her personal health goals, or his.

Having a nutrition consultant/coach provides you with the newest and best evidence-based information for making positive changes, with the support needed to stay on track as the changes start to manifest benefits. The name of the game is success for the client.

Carolyn Guilford is a nutrition consultant, health and wellness advocate, author and workshop organizer, living and working in Savannah. She holds monthly forums at the Bull Street Library on a variety of health concerns, which are free and open to all. She can be contacted via carolyn@healthrestoration101.com; or write to Health Restoration Consulting, P.O. Box 2814, Savannah, GA 31402; or call 912-236-8987.